ABB announces winners of the 6th University Innovation Contest

ABB’s 6th University Innovation Contest (UIC 2017), themed with “Link Digitalization to Our Future”, was concluded in Beijing today. Huang Jiezhou, Luo Peng and Qiu Xuewen from East China Jiaotong University stood out from 15 shortlisted teams, winning the first prize for their work on visual technology based digital testing system for mechanical instrument of vehicles. The second and third prizes were awarded to five teams, and the rest 9 teams got the finalist prize. In addition, 30 team won the outstanding awards this year. Kicked off on March 1, the UIC 2017 attracted the registration of 973 teams from 380 universities, with a total of 241 works.

At the UIC 2017, the contestants leveraged digital technologies and applied them into their creative designs. Some works reflect the concept of “smart city, better life”, such as a smart escape laundry rack that allows intelligent hanging of clothes and emergency escape in case of fire, a smart crib that automatically detects babies’ sleep quality and body temperature, a smart home ecosystem that integrates remote control of home appliances, burglar alarm and air purification. Some works explore energy interconnection, such as a wind-PV coupled hydrogen-producing microgrid simulation system, and an intelligent mobile charging service platform for electric vehicles. Some others provide concrete solutions to digital factories, such as a visual technology based digital testing system for mechanical instrument of vehicles, a flexible robot polishing system, and an efficient storage optimization system.

As an external expert of UIC’s review panel for three consecutive years, Mr. Yonggang Zhang, Director of China National Standardization Technical Committee for Intelligent Building and Residential Community Digitalization, said:“ This year’s contest was featured with extensive coverage of universities which hit record 380 in number. The works submitted reflected students’ attention to national and industrial hot topics, and presented their passion to upgrade industries. Also, they demonstrated the ability to solve issues by leveraging information technologies in combination with deep thought over daily life and work.”

Tian Li, graduate student from Dalian Jiaotong University and awarded the third prize in the contest, said : “ Sometimes I doubted if it was worth spending such a long time as seven years in my university. But now, I regained my confidence by participating in the contest and winning the award. I finally realized the value of knowledge that I learned and how to put it into practice.”

This year’s contest not only presented digital innovations across sectors, but also highlighted the great potential of digital economy. According to a White Paper on Digital Economic Development 2017 released by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), digital economy has become an important force to drive China’s economic growth and transformation. In 2016, China’s digital economic aggregate reached RMB 22.6 trillion, accounting for more than 30% of the country’s GDP. Among this, digital economy accounts for 17% in industries on average.

“Today, as digital economy is booming, China needs more innovative talents and cutting-edge technologies to enhance efficiency and competitiveness,” said Dr. Qianjin Liu, Head of ABB Corporate Research Center in China and CTO at ABB (China) Ltd. “ABB’s UIC 2017 is held to attract more university students’ attention and participation in digital innovations in utilities, industry, transport and infrastructure. Meanwhile, we hope to constantly invigorate cross-sector transformation, upgrading and sustainable development.”

In its over 125-year history, ABB has always been at the forefront of the industrial revolutions with leading innovative technologies. Under the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions, ABB launched industry-leading ABB Ability™ digital offerings. Based on its rich domain expertise, ABB can further provide differentiated services and work with customers and partners to tap the growth potential brought by digital technologies.

Switzerland is China’s first strategic partner on innovation and the UIC is among the key initiatives to boost the ties. This is the second time for Alain Gaschen, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Switzerland in China to attend the UIC’s award ceremony. He pointed out that the UIC has fully reflected the pioneering spirit shared by the two countries. Innovation is the core of bilateral relations, which is just at its best ever stage at present. As a Switzerland-based international company deeply rooted in China, ABB has been serving as a bridge for the partnership between the two countries on innovation. The UIC embodies ABB’s commitment.

The UIC was launched in 2012. The first five contests were themed with “Power of Innovation”, “Innovation Powers the Future”, “Smart Technology, Intelligent Upgrading”, “Innovation for a better world” and “Intelligence, Interaction, Collaboration and Innovation” respectively. In total, the contest has attracted more than 6,000 participants from over 200 universities in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing more than a 125-year history of innovation, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization and driving the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 136,000 employees. ABB has a full range of business activities in China, including R&D, manufacturing, sales and services, with 17,000 employees located in 139 cities, 40 local companies, and online and offline channels across over 300 cities.